Smoking ban is a breath of fresh air

Date published: 28 January 2008

Breathing in other people’s tobacco smoke (secondhand, passive or involuntary smoking) is known to cause a range of disorders from minor eye and throat irritation through to heart disease and lung cancer. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke and exposure increases the risk of cot death, glue ear, asthma and other respiratory disorders.

The smoking ban in pubs and bars was a breath of fresh air for many, but people are still vulnerable to smoke in the family environment. Stopping smoking is the best thing an individual can do to protect themselves and the health of their family. If you do not want to stop smoking, you can still protect your family by not smoking in the home or in the car.

It is a myth that opening a window of a car gets rid of harmful cigarette smoke. A recent study by scientists in New Zealand showed that the air quality in the car with someone smoking with the window partially or wholly down was similar to that found in a typical smoky pub prior to the smoke free ban, whereas when smoking occurred with the window closed it was at least twice as bad as even the smokiest pub.

For further advice call 01706 924225.

The local NHS Stop Smoking Service can be contacted on 01706 708000.